Sanitary single-lever washstand fitting

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a sanitary single-lever washstand fitting on a washstand, comprising a single-lever cartridge, a fitting body with a water outlet, a fitting handle, and inlet hoses for hot and cold water, and said single-lever cartridge having at least one cartridge base, a cartridge bearing, sealing discs, a cartridge housing, a pivot, and a mixed water outlet. In order for the fitting body to be easier and more cost-effective to produce, easy to replace on an installed sanitary standard single-lever cartridge, and for the installation to be simplified in general, the invention suggests that the single-lever cartridge is fixed directly to the washstand and that the fitting body is put over said single-lever cartridge and fixed thereto.

The invention relates to a sanitary single-lever washstand fitting on a washstand with a single-lever cartridge, a fitting body with a water outlet, a fitting handle and with inlet hoses for cold and hot water, wherein the single-lever cartridge has at least a cartridge base, a cartridge bearing, sealing disks, a cartridge housing, a pivot, and a mixed water outlet.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a sanitary single-lever washstand fitting 1 according to prior art, which consists of a chromed, cast brass body as a fitting body 3 that has been machined in a complex manner. Using a cartridge nut 6 with a large external thread, a standard single-lever cartridge 2 is screwed in from the top at a certain torque. Over this cartridge nut 6, there is mounted an optic end cap 5 and then the fitting handle 7 is attached to pivot 8 of single-lever cartridge 2 by means of an Allen screw. On fitting body 3 are screwed two flexible inlet hoses 10. The mixed water outlet is labeled with reference sign 22. Lastly, a metric stud bolt, as the attachment bolt 11, is screwed into fitting body 3. By means of this attachment bolt 11, the washstand fitting 1 is attached to wash stand 4 with a spring washer 12 and a nut 13.

After installing the washstand fitting 1, one must check the leak-tightness between single-lever cartridge 2 and fitting body 3 as well as between the inlet houses 10 and fitting body 3. The washstand fitting 1 is generally installed by hand.

It is disadvantageous that on a sanitary single-lever washstand fitting according to prior art, the fitting body is a complex brass body, which is costly to manufacture and which must be sufficiently stable, i.e., thick-walled due to its accommodating function for the single-lever cartridge. For installed sanitary single-lever washstand fittings, the fitting body can only be replaced by completely disassembling the washstand fitting.

The object of the invention is to develop a sanitary single-lever washstand fitting according to the generic claim of claim 1 in such a manner that the fitting body can be manufactured in a simpler and more cost-effective manner, and that on an installed washstand fitting, the fitting body can be easily replaced. In addition, installation is to be simplified overall.

According to the invention, this task is solved in that the single-lever cartridge is attached directly to the washstand and the fitting body is put over the single-lever cartridge and is attached to the single-lever cartridge. The fitting body in its structure can hereby be more simply designed and be built in a more thin-walled manner since it does not have to fulfill any receiving or holding function for the single-lever cartridge. Furthermore, it can be easily replaced since it is only put over the single-lever cartridge. Installation is here also simplified.

Preferably, the cartridge base is expanded in the axial direction of the single-lever cartridge in the direction toward the washstand and the inlet hoses are attached solely to the expanded cartridge base, wherein channels are arranged in the cartridge base to which the inlet houses are connected and that lead to the sealing disks in the single-lever cartridge. The water flow thus goes from the corner valve via the inlet hoses to the expanded cartridge base and from there through the channels to the sealing disks.

In a preferred embodiment, the single-lever cartridge is installed on the cartridge base and the sealing disks and the cartridge bearing are installed on the cartridge base. Installation is thus simplified.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there are arranged on the exterior circumference of the single-lever cartridge, bordering the mixed water outlet, O-rings for sealing the fitting body. In this embodiment, the mixed water is in contact with a part of the interior surface of the fitting body.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, both the cold and hot water as well as the mixed water have no contact with the fitting body. The interior surface of the fitting body can thereby be designed in any manner, whereby the manufacturing costs are decreased. In this embodiment, the mixed water, sealed off from the fitting body, must be carried from the single-lever cartridge to the water outlet on the fitting body. There are several possibilities for doing so.

In a preferred embodiment, the mixed water outlet on the single-lever cartridge is connected to an end of a mixed water outlet pipe and the other end of the mixed water outlet pipe is connected to the water outlet on the fitting body. The mixed water outlet pipe is preferably a plastic pipe and in an advantageous embodiment, it is attached to the water outlet of the fitting body by means of a snap connection. On the mixed water outlet, there is preferably provided an O-ring seal, into which the mixed water outlet pipe is inserted. Besides the cold and hot water inlet and the mixed water outlet, the single-lever cartridge is closed in a watertight manner in this embodiment so that except for the mixed water outlet, no mixed water can come out of the single-lever cartridge.

Preferably, a thread for receiving an attachment bolt is arranged parallel to the axial direction of the single-lever cartridge in the cartridge base. By means of this attachment bolt, one can screw the single-lever cartridge to the washstand. Advantageously, the thread is arranged in a nut that is inserted in the cartridge base.

A method according to the invention for installing a single-lever washstand fitting according to the invention is characterized in that:

a) The inlet hoses are attached to the expanded cartridge base of the single-lever cartridge.

b) Subsequently, the single-lever cartridge is attached to the washstand.

c) The fitting body is put over the single-lever cartridge and is attached to the single-lever cartridge.

d) The fitting handle is attached to the pivot of the single-lever cartridge.

The invention is further explained below using drawings. FIGS. 3 to 6 depict a preferred embodiment of a sanitary single-lever washstand fitting according to the invention. FIG. 7 depicts an alternative embodiment with a mixed water outlet pipe.

FIG. 3 depicts a single-lever washstand fitting 1 according to the invention with a fitting body 3 with a water outlet 20 and a fitting handle 7 for opening and adjusting a single-lever cartridge 2 not visible in this drawing (see FIGS. 4 to 6). Single-lever washstand fitting 1 is attached to a washstand 4 with a mounting bolt 11. The special type of mounting is explained further below. Below washstand 4, one can see inlet hoses 10 for hot and cold water. From the outside, single-lever washstand fitting 1 according to the invention as per FIG. 3 does not differ from a single-lever washstand fitting as per FIG. 1 according to prior art, except that water outlet 20 can be arranged further up. “Up” refers to the direction toward fitting handle 7.

FIG. 4 depicts a single-lever cartridge 2 of single-lever washstand fitting 1 according to the invention and FIG. 5 depicts a longitudinal cut through this single-lever washstand fitting 1. A standard single-lever cartridge was expanded in its cartridge base 9 facing washstand 4 in such a manner that the inlet hoses 10 can be connected directly to single-lever cartridge 2 (possible connection methods: screwing; placing; snapping in; welding; pressing; adhering). Inlet hoses 10 must be sealed off from cartridge base 9. On its upper end 21, single-lever cartridge 2 according to the invention is identical to a standard single-lever cartridge according to prior art. Single-lever cartridge 2 according to the invention differs from a standard single-lever cartridge according to prior art by the expanded cartridge base 9.

In the embodiment, depicted in FIG. 5, of a single-lever cartridge 2 according to the invention, inlet hoses 10 are attached to single-lever cartridge 2 by means of a snap connection. The snap connection is configured in such a manner that inlet hoses 10, when snapped to single-lever cartridge 2, cannot be loosened. For sealing purposes, sealing rings 14 are arranged between single-lever cartridge 2 and inlet hoses 10.

A metallic stud bolt as attachment bolt 11 is also attached directly to this expanded cartridge base 9 from below (possible connection methods: screwing; placing; snapping in; welding; pressing; adhering). By means of this attachment bolt 11, single-lever cartridge 2 is attached by means of a spring washer 12 and a nut 13 (see FIG. 5) to washstand 4.

By means of sealing disks 14, the water flow of the pressurized water (hot and cold water) is carried directly from the expanded cartridge base 9 to the ceramic packing washers 15 in single-lever cartridge 2. Packing washers 15 and cartridge bearing 16 are installed with cartridge housing 17 on expanded cartridge base 9 and connected to each other (possible connection methods: screwing; placing; snapping in; welding; pressing; adhering). This connection must also be configured in a sealing manner.

Two O-rings 18 on the exterior diameter of single-lever cartridge 2 border mixed water outlet 20 and seal off fitting body 3.

This single-lever cartridge 2 according to the invention, partly also described below as a fitting cartridge, constitutes the water flow from the corner valves to these O-rings 18, and can be assembled and checked for water-tightness in an automatic assembly line.

FIG. 6 depicts fitting body 3, which is put over single-lever cartridge 2 and is attached with a cross-bolt 19 to single-lever cartridge 2. Fitting body 3 can be designed very simply with a small wall thickness, since it hardly has any holding function. Fitting body 3 consists of cast brass and only has two sealing surfaces and is simply put over fitting cartridge 2 and secured with a cross-bolt 9. A cartridge securing nut, its installation with constant torque as well as the chromed optical plastic cap are no longer required. Lastly, fitting handle 7 is attached to pivot 8 of fitting cartridge 2 by means of the Allen screw.

Final assembly of the single-lever washstand fitting 1 by hand is hereby clearly simplified and the task steps are reduced.

However, a water-tightness check between fitting body 3 and single-lever cartridge 2 (two O-rings 18 shall be performed.

According to the invention, single-lever cartridge 2 is attached solely to washstand 4. Fitting body 3 is put over single-lever cartridge 2 and attached solely to single-lever cartridge 2. Fitting body 3 is not attached to the washstand as described in prior art.

FIG. 7 depicts an alternative embodiment of a washstand fitting according to the invention, which differs form a washstand fitting as per FIGS. 3 to 6 in that on the single-lever cartridge on expanded cartridge base 9, there is arranged a mixed water outlet 22 that is provided for connecting to a mixed water outlet pipe 23. Mixed water outlet pipe 23 connects mixed water outlet 22 on single-lever cartridge 2 to water outlet 20 on fitting body 3 and is secured there by means of a snap connection 24. Single-lever cartridge 2 is watertight along its circumference so that no mixed water can escape from single-lever cartridge 2 via mixed water outlet 22. Fitting body 3 hereby has no contact with the water.

Mixed water outlet 23 is extruded from a plastic and has over its length a region in which it is designed as a corrugated hose 26. This region is thereby flexible and can be changed in its length. Installation is made easier and a mixed water outlet pipe 23 is suited for many fitting bodies 3.

Preferably, a thread for receiving an attachment bolt 11 is arranged in cartridge base 9 parallel to the axial direction of single-lever cartridge 2. With this attachment bolt 11, one can screw single-lever cartridge 2 to washstand 4.

Advantageously, the thread is arranged in a nut 25 that is inserted in cartridge base 9. Advantageously, nut 25 is pushed in laterally.

Additional Advantages:

If one inspects single-lever cartridge 2 for water-tightness at the factory, one could include it separately along with a water-tightness-checked fitting body 3 in a fitting package and customers would be able to perform final assembly of washstand fitting 1 by themselves.

Since fitting body 3 is put over only single-lever cartridge 2, a design change can be executed quickly and easily. Also, replacing fitting body 3 can be quickly done in the event of damage or a malfunction.

By dispensing with components, by the simpler and more cost-effective fitting body 3 and by the tremendously simplified (or dispensing with) final assembly of the washstand fitting, manufacturing costs are decreased. 

1.-10. (canceled)
 11. A sanitary single-lever washstand fitting for a washstand, comprising a single-lever cartridge, a fitting body, a water outlet, a fitting handle, a cold water inlet hose and a hot water inlet hose, wherein the single-lever cartridge comprises a cartridge base, a cartridge bearing, sealing disks, a cartridge housing, a pivot, and a mixed water outlet, wherein the single-lever cartridge is attached directly to the washstand and the fitting body is placed over the single-lever cartridge and attached to the single-lever cartridge.
 12. A single-lever washstand fitting according to claim 11, wherein the cartridge base is expanded in the axial direction of the single-lever cartridge in the direction toward the washstand and the inlet hoses are attached solely to the expanded cartridge base, wherein there are arranged in the cartridge base channels, to which the inlet hoses are connected and wherein lead to the sealing disks in the single-lever cartridge.
 13. A single-lever washstand fitting according to claim 11, wherein the single-lever cartridge is installed on the cartridge base.
 14. A single-lever washstand fitting according to claim 11, wherein on the exterior circumference of the single-lever cartridge, bordering the mixed water outlet, O-rings are arranged for sealing the fitting body.
 15. A single-lever washstand fitting according to claim 11, wherein both the cold and hot water as well as the mixed water have no contact with the fitting body.
 16. A single-lever washstand fitting according to claim 15, wherein the mixed water outlet is connected at the single-lever cartridge to one end of a mixed water outlet pipe and the other end of the mixed water outlet pipe is connected to the water outlet on the fitting body.
 17. A single-lever washstand fitting according to claim 16, wherein the mixed water outlet pipe is attached to the water outlet of the fitting body with a snap connection.
 18. A single-lever washstand fitting according to claim 11, wherein parallel to the axial direction of the single-lever cartridge in the cartridge base, a thread is arranged to accommodate an attachment bolt.
 19. A single-lever cartridge of a single-lever washstand fitting according to 18 having an expanded cartridge base to which the hot water inlet hose and the cold water inlet hose are attached.
 20. A single-lever washstand fitting according to claim 12, wherein parallel to the axial direction of the single-lever cartridge in the cartridge base, a thread is arranged to accommodate an attachment bolt.
 21. A single-lever washstand fitting according to claim 13, wherein parallel to the axial direction of the single-lever cartridge in the cartridge base, a thread is arranged to accommodate an attachment bolt.
 22. A single-lever washstand fitting according to claim 14, wherein parallel to the axial direction of the single-lever cartridge in the cartridge base, a thread is arranged to accommodate an attachment bolt.
 23. A single-lever washstand fitting according to claim 15, wherein parallel to the axial direction of the single-lever cartridge in the cartridge base, a thread is arranged to accommodate an attachment bolt.
 24. A single-lever washstand fitting according to claim 16, wherein parallel to the axial direction of the single-lever cartridge in the cartridge base, a thread is arranged to accommodate an attachment bolt.
 25. A single-lever washstand fitting according to claim 17, wherein parallel to the axial direction of the single-lever cartridge in the cartridge base, a thread is arranged to accommodate an attachment bolt.
 26. A single-lever washstand fitting according to claim 12, wherein the single-lever cartridge is installed on the cartridge base.
 27. A single-lever washstand fitting according to claim 12, wherein on the exterior circumference of the single-lever cartridge, bordering the mixed water outlet, O-rings are arranged for sealing the fitting body.
 28. A single-lever washstand fitting according to claim 23, wherein on the exterior circumference of the single-lever cartridge, bordering the mixed water outlet, O-rings are arranged for sealing the fitting body.
 29. A method for installing a single-level washstand fitting according to claim 11 on the washstand, wherein: a) the inlet hot water inlet hose and the cold water inlet hose are attached to the expanded cartridge base of the single-lever cartridge, b) subsequently the single-lever cartridge is attached to the washstand, c) the fitting body is placed over the single-lever cartridge and attached to the single-lever cartridge, d) the fitting handle is attached to the pivot of the single-lever cartridge. 